Farmington women plead not guilty to animal cruelty charges

ROCHESTER — Two Farmington women were arraigned Tuesday in Rochester Circuit Court on 13 combined counts of animal cruelty. They both entered pleas of not guilty to the Class A misdemeanor charges.

In early September, Shirley M. Patch, 59, of 576 Chestnut Hill Road, Farmington, was arrested and charged with 12 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, for the condition of 12 animals found on her property — there were five horses in her care, as well as one miniature horse, one pony, two goats, two dogs and two chickens. All were found malnourished and in varying degrees of health.

Caroline Wilkins, 40, of the same address, was arrested and charged for one count of animal cruelty for her treatment of Dolly, a 32-year-old Chestnut horse found lame on her front two legs. She weighed less than half of her normal size, with her rib cage visibly sticking out through her dull coat.

All of the seized animals are currently undergoing rehabilitation with the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA) in Stratham.

Following the hearing, Patch told Foster's her situation was inaccurately portrayed and her story was "turned around."

"All I have to say is, I love my animals," she said, "and everybody knows that."

In court Tuesday morning, Patch revealed she is still caring for two additional dogs — though one dog recently had to be "put to sleep," she said — as well as one cat, three mice, one rooster and five chickens.

Cappiello ordered, in addition to Patch and Wilkins' standing personal recognizance bail conditions, the two women also not care for any additional animals, other than the ones currently in custody with the NHSPCA. He has also added a caveat that the women not visit those animals.

Wilkins told the court she is also caring for three dogs now as well, at the Chestnut Hill property.

Following the arraignment, the two women stood outside the court clerk's office, seeking to file for a public defender in lieu of hiring a private attorney. Wilkins told Foster's she would decline to comment on the court proceedings.

Another hearing is scheduled for both women on Jan. 4, 2013, in Rochester Circuit Court. Patch continues to be released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail. Wilkins is out on $2,500.

Farmington Police Chief Kevin Willey previously told Foster's he does not believe the women intentionally meant to harm their animals, stating it appeared they did not have the "resources or capabilities" to care for them properly around the time of the arrests.

NHSPCA Executive Director Lisa Dennison previously told Foster's two of the rescued horses under the care of Patch — Dell, a white horse in her mid-20s, and Tonka, the horse's 4-year-old colt — were taken into protective custody by the NHSPCA back in January 2010, too.

The matter was brought originally to the police's attention by the former owner of Dolly. Shannon Donovan, of Milton Mills, is the same teenager who underwent a devastating event with another one of her horses earlier this year. She previously told Foster's she reported Wilkins and Patch when she saw the condition their animals were living in at the Farmington property.

Donovan lost her beloved quarter horse, Blue, the companion of Dolly, in an alleged hit-and-run last January. The driver — Sanbornville resident Lincoln Geist who was 85 at the time — reportedly struck and killed Blue and also injured Donovan's best friend who was riding him at the time.

Donovan told Foster's she thought Wilkins could provide Dolly with the care she required after she couldn't afford to keep her any longer, so she gave her the elderly Chestnut horse. Today, she is working with the NHSPCA to get Dolly back, or to provide a suitable owner for her, depending on what her finances allow, she said.